Posts

If this is your question, don’t worry - we’ve got you covered. Read on for a long list of excellent Bradford pear alternatives. Bradford Pear Tree Replacement If you are getting ready to take out your invasive Bradford pear tree, considering these facts will keep any regrets at bay: Bradford pear blossoms don’t have a fragrance to match their lovely flowers. In fact, they smell terrible.The spring flower show doesn’t last long and, all summer long, the trees don’t offer much in the way of interest, nor do they provide ecological benefits for wildlife....

Cedar Mulch and Insects Cedar has long been used in homes to repel moths, and the same theory goes for the use of cedar mulch in the garden. Cedar mulch is said to repel pesky bugs such as some types of ants, termites, fleas, and some varieties of fly. But does cedar mulch repel pollinators as well? Does Cedar Affect Bees? If the answer to “does cedar mulch repel pollinators?” is yes, then it is doubtful that anyone would use the product in the garden....

Florida weave tomatoes produce better fruit that’s easier to pick and seems to suffer less rot. The system is also called short stake or basket weave. The method works for both determinate and indeterminate tomato varieties, although the latter may need to be trimmed, or taller stakes must be used. All that is needed are stakes about 8 feet (2.5 m) long and some twine. What Is the Florida Weave?...

Growing Monticello Seeds For more than 50 years, Thomas Jefferson called Monticello home. Located outside of Charlottesville, Virginia, Monticello is now a National Historic Landmark. Owned by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Inc., the house, grounds and plantation have been restored to how they looked when Thomas Jefferson was alive. If you’re looking for some of the same plants grown by Thomas Jefferson, consider these beautiful Monticello flower seeds: Bachelor’s Button – (Centaurea cyanus) Also known as cornflower, the striking blue flowers of this annual average 1....

Tomato Plant Basics Before you even contemplate how deep to plant your tomatoes, you need to decide how many and of what variety you want to grow. The average family will need about two to four plants per person for fresh fruit. If you want to process your tomatoes, increase the number of plants to five to ten plants per person. Decide what type of tomatoes you want to grow. Cherry, roma, slicing, heirloom, determinate or indeterminate....

Depending on where you live, roses may be more susceptible to certain pests and diseases. Cultural conditions such as watering regimes, pruning methods, and rose deadheading mistakes are also potential issues that can cause a shrub to decline in health. The first step in reviving a struggling rose is to identify the underlying issue. Regularly inspect your plant for any signs of stress, pests, or diseases, and assess environmental factors....

Cedar Tree Transplant There are several cedar species. Two of the most popular ornamental cedars are Deodar cedar (Cedrus deodara), one of the most graceful conifers, and Atlas cedar (Cedrus atlantica), that lives for some 150 years. The former grows to 50 feet (15 m) tall in cultivation, while the Atlas cedar grows to 60 feet (18 m) tall. If one of these cedars are growing in your backyard and has grown too tall for its site, you may be wondering what to do....

This interesting insect is found in the Coast Range and Sierra foothills, as well as the Sacramento area. Like the monarch, the population of this species is diminishing dramatically. Here, we explain why these butterflies matter and how to help support them in your backyards and gardens. What Does the Dogface Butterfly Look Like? Relatively few people are likely to spot the California dogface butterfly, which is a shame as it is such a lovely insect....

Pepper Elder Seeds The plant does flower year-round, although blooms are inconspicuous light green to pale green spikes. These mature to reveal tiny dot-like seeds attached to the flower spikes. Pepper elder has a strong mustard-like aroma. P. pellucida, in the family Piperaceae, is a low growing plant of about 6-18 inches (15-45 cm) in height. Its habit is erect to partially draping. Rat ears plant has plentiful, glossy green, and heart shaped foliage that is somewhat fleshy like a succulent....

Planting perennials in fall can give your plants the foundation they need to weather the winter – as the air cools and the soil remains warm, these conditions encourage strong root development. Some of the best perennials to plant in fall are varieties that stay dormant until spring arrives, but myriad flowering perennials and evergreen plants benefit from fall planting. When planting perennials in fall, it’s essential to choose the right location, considering sunlight and soil type to ensure the plants will thrive....

What Is an Accessory Dwelling Unit? Traditional residential neighborhoods in this country usually consist of single family homes, each with a front yard and a backyard, often with a garage. Some are one-level, some two stories. But as urban space is getting tight and land prices are skyrocketing, the price of building similar homes rises problematically. Cities are welcoming new ideas that increase housing supply but keep costs down. One of these new ideas that has some traction is the accessory dwelling unit or ADU....

The 7 Best Cypress Trees To Grow The same rules of reason apply to selecting cypress as to buying any other plant. You will want to choose a shrub or tree that works well in your USDA hardiness zone, will thrive in the sun exposure and soil of the particular planting site, and that will fit - at its mature size - into your garden space. If you are aiming for a specific garden themes, this should be taken into account as well....

When done correctly, planting a tree is one of the most positive things you can do for your property and the environment – helping to clean the air and provide a home for wildlife. ‘It can also mean leaving a legacy for the next generation,’ says Blake Watkins, certified master arborist and operations partner at Monster Tree Service. ‘This is especially the case if you are selecting native trees and shade trees for your yard – as opposed to short-lived flowering trees or fruit trees....

Of course, you may be wondering, do foxgloves need a lot of water? This guide explores how often to water foxglove plants, the specific needs of those grown in beds and containers, and using proper watering techniques. When Foxgloves Need the Most Watering Knowing when to irrigate or provide extra moisture to foxgloves is essential to their development. When watering foxgloves, consistency is important to establishing new seedlings whose roots may still be quite tender, as well as to plants that are preparing to bloom....

An understanding of keystone flora is vital for earth conscious gardening and plant selections that have the most benefit in specific areas. As NationalGeographic.org explains, “A keystone species is an organism that helps define an entire ecosystem. Without its keystone species, the ecosystem would be dramatically different or cease to exist altogether.” What is Keystone Planting? Native plants are plants that evolved to live and grow in a specific region....

As well as being a natural blues buster, gardening relieves stress and improves cognitive abilities. However, just a few small changes to your gardening method will maximize the health benefits to your mind and body. Adopt these simple habits and enjoy a transformative effect on your quality of life. 1. Garden little and often Gardening for exercise is a fantastic way to keep fit. All that mowing, weeding, digging, raking, and pruning works every major muscle group and burns around 300 calories an hour....

There are many pothos varieties to choose from, but the most coveted, rarer types are variegated pothos and those possessing interesting leaf forms. These make a particularly stunning feature in the home. Pothos plants can be displayed in a variety of ways to get the best out of them – whether trailing over the side of a hanging basket or planter on a shelf or windowsill, grown vertically as a climber, or horizontally across a flat surface....

However, growing roses is not the complicated art that it seems. With proper planning and care, nearly anyone can successfully cultivate these romantic cottage garden blooms. Never forget that a garden is an ever-evolving work in progress, and you don’t have to get everything right immediately. “Do not expect your roses to always be perfect,” says expert rosarian Wes Harvell at Jackson & Perkins “Understand that all plants have their season to shine and will not perform in certain climatic conditions; roses are no different....

What is the Barbiecore Aesthetic? Barbiecore is the name for a fashion, style, and decorating trend inspired by the classic doll and her favorite color. It doesn’t need to specifically reference Barbie, but the look is clearly something she would love. The overarching aesthetic is pink, especially bright, Barbie pink. It is a hyper-feminine style but is open to anyone. And it goes beyond color. Barbie has always personified light-hearted fun....

How Long is the Growing Season in the Pacific Northwest? The growing season for Washington state starts around March 24th and lasts until November 17th – a total of 238 days. In Oregon, the growing season is significantly shorter at only 125 days between the last and first frost. Keep in mind that the length of the growing season can be wildly different depending on whether you are on the west or east side of either of these two states....